The 21st edition of the Rolex Swan Cup came to a close on Sunday after a week of fierce, but friendly, racing through the Maddalena Archipelago in Sardinia. The 27.7 metre Nautor's Swan sailing yacht Freya was crowned winner of the Maxi class following a close battle with the newly-delivered Club Swan 80 My Song and the Swan 80 Plis Play that had led the results board earlier in the week.
Freya, a Swan 90 delivered in 2012, and her crew were praised for "excellent tactical choices" and well-executed manoeuvres in the face of the incoming mistral - that saw racing abandoned on two occasions - while wielding a gennaker of 600 square metres. Freya is no stranger to the waters of Porto Cervo, having competed in a number of regattas over the years, and this time was joined by two-time America's Cup winner Mike Toppa as tactician.
Freya's owner, Donald Macpherson spoke on the yacht's overall victory: “Winning here at the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo is the epitome of success in sailing, there’s nothing better. I’m absolutely thrilled. The first few races we had lighter winds, then we won on the strong wind day. The crew is a mix of race crew and friends and family, it’s a team effort and the team did this, it’s a great crew.”
The Rolex Swan Cup is one of the final races on the Mediterranean yachting calendar and marks the conclusion of the 2022 Swan One Design season.